Oz cricket fans want Symonds back in squad

Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 12:01 [IST]

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Melbourne, Oct.22 : Australian fans and leading cricket figures have issued an appeal to the selectors to recall strapping all-rounder Andrew Symonds in the wake of the team's humiliating 320-run defeat against India in Mohali.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan, who was a mentor for Symonds, believes Roy "would be on the first plane to India" if summoned by selectors.

"There is no question that the Australian side is missing his playing ability and his character," Fox Sports quoted Buchanan, as saying. "With what has happened in recent times, Andrew is the best person to judge when he is ready to come back. But if somebody went and asked him if he would go to India, I couldn't see him saying no. I reckon he would be over there like a shot," he added.

Former Test and New South Wales fast bowler Michael Whitney believes Symonds is the man to take the fight to an aggressive Indian team.

"Roy is such an intimidating character, have a look at him. He's got plenty of s..t in him and that's what we need at this very moment. Our fielding was not up to scratch in the second Test, neither was our batting nor bowling. Roy would certainly add some spice to the series," Whitney said.

An exclusive on-line Daily Telegraph poll showed 70 per cent of Australian cricket fans agreed that Symonds should be on the next plane to India.

Many believe Symonds has paid his dues for his "going fishing" debacle and subsequent clash with stand-in captain Michael Clarke in the lead-up to the Bangladesh series.

His former Queensland captain Jimmy Maher is adamant Australia must take a calculated gamble and shoehorn Symonds back into the Test side, despite his lean run at domestic level.

"I really think Australia need Roy in India, I'd be getting him in the Test side as soon as possible," Maher said.

"Symo is a player for a crisis and I'd say, 1-0 down in a four-Test series, that Australia is in crisis.

Cricket Australia has put Symonds on a confidential rehabilitation process, including sessions with a sports psychologist, which he was told he must complete before being considered for national selection again.

There remained some resistance within the Australian camp to suggestions of a Symonds call-up, with coach Tim Nielson saying it was too early to welcome the Queenslander back.

And not everyone is supportive of the Symonds push.

Test legend Doug Walters said: "He has scored 70 runs in about 15 innings. Not sure he's the man to go over and resurrect Australia, not in the form he's been in. You can't expect miracles."